During Jacob Crosby’s junior and senior year, the Central football team was winless. During his high school career, the Warriors won five games.

But during a long and arduous rebuilding process in which he capped his senior season with a first team All-Southwestern League selection as a defensive end, Crosby kept his dream of playing college football alive.

After giving a verbal commitment to play at Fort Lewis College, that dream is fulfilled.

“(The Fort Lewis coaching staff) had this confidence,” Crosby said. “It was like them saying that we’re going to win, with or without you. If you commit somewhere else in the conference, we’re going to come in and kick your (butt) when we play that team. It was cool to see a team committed to winning after playing on a team that went 0-20 the last two years. That was one thing that was very important to me. I want to win some games at the next level.”

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, Crosby said he’ll play wherever Fort Lewis coach John L. Smith wants him to play on the defensive line, and that doesn’t surprise Central coach Shawn Marsh.

Crosby was the first guy in the weight room and the last one out, Marsh said. Crosby was, most importantly, a leader for the Warriors. That came in handy for Marsh, who replaced longtime Central coach Vern McGee during Crosby’s senior year.

“Jake was definitely the leader and really the heart and soul of the team,” Marsh said. “And when you come in as a new coach and new coaching staff, that’s something you’re looking for. He started right at the beginning of the summer with weights and stuff. He’d get everybody into the weight room. He was a leader right at the get-go And really, he’s a fine leader, very, very good academically, and he’s a great football player, and he’s a great kid. He’s someone I hope my son would be like some day.”

Marsh described Crosby as a high-energy player.

“He’s just an intense player,” Marsh said. “He’s got a motor that continues to go all the time. He’ll do anything you ask him, and he’s always the first guy up in your drills.”

Jacob’s father, John Crosby, said Jacob was drawn to the potential of the Skyhawks’ program.

“Myself and my son visited Fort Lewis (Jan. 11 and 12) and were blown away by the staff and the direction they seem to be heading in,” John Crosby wrote in an e-mail.

Marsh also credited assistant coach Phil Johnson for preparing Crosby to play football at the next level.

“We worked a lot together, and really a lot of our kids worked with coach Phil Johnson to get into college,” Marsh said. “Coach Johnson helped a bunch of these guys, and with Jake, he had a lot of great opportunities, and he finally made this decision on where he wants to go.”